Nissan Murano vs. Nissan Pathfinder: Everything You Need To Know
Nissan Pathfinder by EurovisionNim — CC-BY-SA-4.0
The crossover SUV segment isn’t only one of the most competitive segments, but it can be confusing to navigate. Too many crossover SUVs are being put out, and one of the worst offenders is Nissan. For example, the midsize SUVs by Nissan, the Murano, and Pathfinder.
Nissan Murano vs. Nissan Pathfinder: which midsize crossover SUV is worth buying?
For this Nissan Murano vs. Nissan Pathfinder comparison, we’ll look at the 2022 versions of both SUVs. Let’s look at how they stack up against each other.
Exterior Features
As one of the largest Nissan vehicles, the Pathfinder is noticeably more prominent than the Murano. The 2022 version is a major facelift for the Pathfinder with a more traditional SUV but rugged styling - it’s classic meets the modern. Elements like the slim taillights and floating roof hammer down the contemporary aesthetic. Plus, the familiar V-motion grille and C-shaped LED complete the Pathfinder look.
All Pathfinder trims have LED headlights and taillights, with standard LED fog lights for the SL and Platinum editions. S, SV, and SL Pathfinders get 18-inch alloy wheels, while 20-inch black alloys are reserved for the top Platinum trim. Unfortunately, the popular sunroof feature is only available for the Platinum edition.
On the other hand, the 2022 Nissan Murano features a solid and distinctive exterior design with personality. Looking more like a crossover than a full-on SUV, the Murano sports the signature V-motion grille, sharp-angled headlights, and a swoopy profile. While it’s one handsome SUV, we feel that similar styling trends have moved on.
The two lower Murano models have 18-inch alloy wheels, while the top two trims have 20-inch alloys. Customers looking for a more striking model should check out the new Midnight Edition model, with 20-inch alloys, roof rails, and blacked-out accents and finish.
WINNER: Both SUVs are strong in the looks department and have comparable standard and available exterior features.
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Performance and Fuel Economy
The 2022 Murano is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine, producing 260 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. It’s a relatively old engine and has lagged behind its turbocharged competitors. Nevertheless, the V6 engine packs enough power for daily driving, providing a punchy acceleration when needed. According to independent tests, the Murano can hit 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds with an all-wheel configuration.
As far as driving dynamics go, the Murano handles increased speeds well and has better cornering than many midsize SUVs. Unfortunately, Murano’s max towing capacity is only 1,500, which falls behind competitors like the Ford Edge. On a positive note, the engine is paired with a good, continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that delivers consistent, reliable power.
Although the 2022 Pathfinder has the same 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, its performance is elevated with a new nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine’s output is a respectable 284 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque and can fly from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds. All Pathfinders come with standard FWD and optional AWD.
Additionally, the Pathfinder is a workhorse for off-road and towing duties. The AWD system includes several drive settings like Standard, Sport, Snow, Mud, etc. The Pathfinder also uses Tow Mode and Trailer Sway modes and can tow up to 6,000 lbs when fully equipped.
For fuel efficiency, the FWD Pathfinder has EPA ratings of 21/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined and 21/27/23 mpg for AWD. Meanwhile, the Murano has similar EPA ratings for both FWD and AWD at 20/28/23 mpg city/highway/combined, thanks to the CVT transmission.
WINNER: The Pathfinder beats the Murano in performance, while the Murano has a slight edge in fuel economy.
Interior and Cargo Space
The Murano’s interior is upmarket but holds no surprises. The V-shaped center console shares a coherent design with the front exterior, which is a nice touch. The control and vent layouts are relatively straightforward, but the buttons and dials are intuitive. Overall, it’s a familiar yet high-quality cabin, and that’s good enough for most people.
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As a midsize SUV, the Murano can accommodate five people in sufficient comfort. It offers 40.5 inches of front legroom and 39.9 inches of headroom. Rear seats are slightly cramped, with legroom and headroom at 38.7 inches and 39.8 inches, respectively.
The Murano’s front legroom has a few compromises, including the cargo space. The SUV has 32.1 cu-ft of cargo space by default and is lower than the segment average. With the rear seats folded, the area expands to 67 cu-ft. It also has a bigger-than-average glove compartment space, but there’s not enough extra storage for small items.
On the other hand, the Pathfinder boasts an updated modern interior that offers plenty of practicality. The large infotainment screen is a striking focal piece, with logical and intuitive controls baked in. The interior crosses into the luxury tier with the top Platinum trim with semi-aniline leather and diamond contrast stitching.
The Pathfinder is the current best-in-class with 44.3 inches of front legroom, beating the likes of the Palisade and Telluride. The SUV seats up to eight people, but it’s down to seven if you want second-row captain chairs. Rear seating is a bit cramped in comparison, and the third row is best reserved for smaller passengers like kids and teens.
Cargo-wise, the Pathfinder offers 16.6 cu-ft of room behind the third-row seats. Folding the third-row gives you 45 cu-ft of space, and it opens to 80.5 cubes by folding both third and second-row chairs. Extra storage options like cupholders, door pockets, and storage bins are aplenty.
WINNER: Overall, the Pathfinder beats the Murano easily in all interior and cargo categories. However, keep in mind that the Murano is a smaller two-row vehicle.
Infotainment and Safety Features
Depending on your trim of choice, the Pathfinder may come with an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen display, which is standard on the SL and Platinum editions. Unfortunately, only the 9-inch display supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In addition, fancy extras like a 12.3-inch widescreen digital gauge and heads-up display are available as add-ons.
For safety, the NHTSA gave the 2022 Pathfinder a 5-star rating, while the IIHS gave the SUV good safety ratings overall. All Pathfinder models are equipped with Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 suite, including features like lane departure warning, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, high beam assist, rear cross-traffic alert, etc.
In comparison, the Murano comes with an 8-inch touchscreen which is frankly quite dated. Fortunately, it has many modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration which is a standard. Other tech features include navigation capabilities, voice control, and NissanConnect Services.
The Murano is one of the safest vehicles you can get with 5-star NHTSA ratings and a Top Safety Pick award by the IIHS. Standard is the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite that includes blind-spot warning, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear cross-traffic alert.
WINNER: The Pathfinder has a more modern and versatile infotainment system. Safety-wise, the Murano boasts better safety ratings.
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Nissan Murano vs. Nissan Pathfinder: Which Midsize SUV Wins?
We conclude this Nissan Murano vs. Nissan Pathfinder comparison with their MSRP. The 2022 Nissan Murano has an MSRP of $32,910, while the 2022 Pathfinder starts at $33,410.
Unless you specifically want a two-row SUV, there’s very little reason to buy the Murano over the Pathfinder. The Pathfinder offers more performance and utility for a few hundred dollars more.
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